The sights and sounds are still vivid.

During his childhood, AJ Pinet would go to just about every Dedham High School football game he could. He always envisioned that one day, he would be one of the stars on the field.

Pinet, now one of the top running backs in the state, wants to close his high school career with a bang on Thanksgiving Day.

“He’s the best that I’ve seen come through Dedham,” said Dedham coach Mike Cloutier. “He’s just a phenomenal kid, man. He does everything right. He’s just one of the kids that you hope your son can model, and image one day.

“He’s a 3.98 (GPA) student, always watching film. He always does the right thing, on and off the field. He’s a big part of the resurgence of us, kind of what we’ve done.”

Heading into his final high school game, Pinet has rushed for 5,467 career yards, enough to crack the state’s top-10 list for career rushing yardage. This year, he scampered for 1,461 yards and 16 touchdowns, helping Dedham (4-6) reach the Div. 5 state quarterfinals. In a 56-37 win over Greater Lowell in the opening round, Pinet rushed for 136 yards and three scores.

“This year, we had to figure out who we wanted to be as a football team,” said Pinet. “After last year, we lost 22 seniors. To start this year, we were a little lost, didn’t know who we wanted to be. I feel like once we found our identity, running the ball, playing slow, doing what we can do, I think we really started to find our stride. I was a big part of that, but our o-line? Big part of that too.”

In spite of nagging injuries and consistent pressure — Pinet has been dealing with a sprained AC joint and turf toe for months — he refused to relent.

“It’s my senior year,” Pinet said. “I knew I had to dig deep and get through it. There’s no ‘after this.’ It’s this or nothing. So, I knew I had to do it.”

A two-time Tri-Valley League MVP and a three-time league All-Star, he once ran for 356 yards and six touchdowns during a 2023 game against Millis.

In that game, Pinet was one score away from tying the state record for rushing touchdowns in a single game. Cloutier approached the standout.

“I walked over to him, and was like: ‘What do you want to do?’ Cloutier said. “He goes: ‘Coach, I’m done, I’ll chase this thing again. Let the younger guys get the work.’ That was as a junior too, so it’s kind of who he is as a kid, is as a human.

“He’s always at the forefront of any volunteer stuff that we do. He’s always there for the youth programs. Any time we need help around school, or help with the younger guys, he’s the first one to step up. He’s just an amazing kid.”

As of now, Pinet has received college looks from a series of local Div. 2 and 3 schools, with Endicott, Salve Regina and Springfield College showing high interest. Movement is expected to pick up on that front once the season concludes.

“Whatever that kid does in life, he’s going to excel,” Cloutier said. “It just depends on the path, and wherever it leads him. I think if he goes to a D3 school, you’re looking at a three- or four-year starter, somebody who is going to make an instant impact. Not just on the football team, but with the culture of the program.

“If he wants to chase down a D2 school, he’s going to sit, sit in the weight room a little bit, but he is going to be the best thing a coach could have. Especially working on the practice squad, things like that. Honestly, whatever AJ does, not just in his football future, but his career future, he’s going to excel, and he’s going to be one of the guys who makes a real impact.”

However, there is still one final game left on the docket. Dedham will host archrival Norwood on Thanksgiving. Pinet would love nothing more than to go out with a bang.

“I’m really excited,” Pinet said. “We’ve only beaten Norwood once since I’ve been at Dedham High. So, to finish on a ‘W’ would be massive, and probably would make my career.”